Sir Philip Green is to shut 25 more stores than expected with the loss of hundreds more jobs.
Hours after the shock new closures were announced, the Arcadia tycoon boarded pal Richie Akiva’s boat in Monte Carlo yesterday.
Earlier this week, Arcadia announced plans to close 23 Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Topshop stores, putting 520 jobs under threat.
And yesterday it was revealed the number of stores due to close is expected to at least double, affecting Evans and Miss Selfridge stores.
When asked to confirm reports he would hold a glitzy bash on his own yacht in Monaco after the annual grand prix motor race, Green said: “Do you know, you people p*** me off.
“Can I make this very uncomplicated? There’s no boat in Monaco, there’s no party, there’s no nothing. Just forget about it OK.
“It’s complete rubbish, there’s no boat here.”
It is believed Sir Philip, 67, who has faced repeated calls to be stripped of his knighthood and is at the centre of new allegations he slapped women workers’ bottoms – which he denies – has not been in the UK for at least six months.
Asked if he wanted to say anything about the Arcadia redundancies, Green said: “Oh please... you know, go and have a nice weekend there’s a good fellow, OK.”
Under the proposed restructuring announced earlier this week, Arcadia plans to cut rents at 194 stores, in an effort to stave off administration or breakup of the company.
Rent cuts have yet to be approved by landlords, creditors and pension trustees.
